I used to interview graduate students who wanted to become teachers. Since there were four applicants for every place on the course, the room tended to have more than its share of tight smiles and leaky armpits. We were looking for several things, principally a personality suited to teaching and recent experience that matched the job.

OF course, BBC Ulster’s coverage of the Irish Presidential election (that’s the Irish Presidential election, just so’s you can distinguish it from the Azerbaijani Presidential election) should be non-existent, should consistency play any part in matters.

A group of North Belfast families devastated by the loss of loved ones to suicide have met with President Mary McAleese to share their stories and ask for her support in their campaign for better suicide awareness across the country.